Forest Service Career Sheet #25 Wildlife Biologist (GS-11) Major Duties A Wildlife Biologist (GS-11) is responsible helping to protect, manage, and improve wildlife habitat in the forest. Specific duties include;

• Helping develop wildlife management programs. • Inspecting projects designed to improve wildlife habitat. • Conducting studies and surveying to get information about hoe forest management policies are effecting wildlife movements, populations, and harvest. • Evaluating wildlife habitat conditions and the needs of upland game, small game, waterfowl, fur bearers, and nongame species. • Maintaining special studies on rare, threatened, and endangered species. • Evaluating projects which affect wildlife habitat and recommends alternative ways to use and protect the habitat.

A Wildlife Biologist may also supervise other employees. This can require monitoring employee performance, conducting performance appraisals, developing budgets, etc.

A Typical Day Wildlife Biologists spend most of their time working in both the field and office. Field work may require hiking and climbing over rugged terrain in bad weather conditions. Office work often means long periods of time standing and sitting, writing reports of analyzing information, and making recommendations on how best to manage the wildlife habitat. Differences of opinion over how Wildlife habitats should be used can generate controversy between various groups (e.g., the Spotted Owl controversy). Wildlife Biologist can be important people in developing plans and ways to resolve such problems. Wildlife biologist work with other Forest Service experts like Hierologists, Geologists, and Foresters to help protect the rich and varied wildlife resources. They participate in investigations and surveys to determine how to restore and protect the wildlife habitat. Part of this involves finding out what effects management policies are having on wildlife populations and their habitat. Wildlife biologist spend some of their time writing reports and making formal presentations of the results of their investigations on how to best manage and protect wildlife resources and habitats.

Wildlife Biologist Career Sheet #25 Page 2

Knowledge and Education A college Degree is required for those Interested in becoming a Wildlife Biologist. Courses leading to these careers include;

• Mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, etc.) • Biology • Physical Science (Earth Science) • Zoology, Ecology, Botany • Geology • Hydrology

Career Path A job leading to becoming a Wildlife Biologist (GS-11) is;

• Wildlife Biologist (GS-5) – the person in this position is a trainee in wildlife management. Typical activities include; o Conducting inventories of big game, upland game, small mammals, nongame, etc. o Assembling biological and vegetation data from records to determine habitat conditions use patterns, and the effects of management activities o Receiving formal and on-the-job training in wildlife principles, methods, and practices.